Finding it easier with launch of 018 TXT

October 16, 2006

Yellow Pages Group makes finding it easier with launch of 018 TXT

Yellow Pages Group, operator of the national 018 directory assistance service, today officially launched its new ‘018 TXT’ service for Telecom mobile phone customers. In an enhancement to the 018 service, mobile customers who phone 018 from their mobile will now receive their search results via text message, which they can save to their mobile’s address book.

Verbal search results will still be provided by 018 operators, as will the direct connect option which automatically connects callers to their requested phone number.

Yellow Pages Group Head of Marketing, Blair Glubb, says during the testing phase mobile customers had given great feedback on the new service.

“018 TXT is designed for people who are out and about and need a quick and simple way of finding a phone number or address.

“Our goal is to be New Zealand’s number one find it resource, and 018 TXT is another example of making finding it easier for all New Zealanders.

“The main benefit to mobile customers who receive their 018 search results by text message is that they can save the number to their address book, saving them the need to phone 018 again for the same number.

“018 TXT sends you the results of up to two searches from one call to 018, which means you can save both numbers.”

Mr Glubb says the new service complements New Zealanders’ growing usage of mobile phones and of the 018 service.

“In contrast to the overseas experience with directory services, New Zealanders are actually calling 018 more and more. This is probably linked to our growing use of mobile devices, and people still need access to information when they’re on the move.”

Mr Glubb says the launch of 018 TXT is another milestone in the growth of Yellow Pages Group. In August Yellow Pages Group purchased the award-winning tourism directory New Zealand Tourism Online (www.tourism.net.nz).

Earlier this month Yellow Pages Group announced it had contracted one of the world’s leading developers of online directory services, Local Matters Inc., to deliver a significantly enhanced search experience for users in a programme scheduled to be rolled out in early 2007.

018 TXT is not currently available to Vodafone mobile customers due to technology-related issues. However Mr Glubb says the two parties are in discussions and hope to be able to provide it to Vodafone customers early in 2007.

ENDS

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